“But there are seats available. A lot of times, people say there are no seats, but they’re reluctant to take the middle seat. So, all in all, not so bad,” he told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond.

Another pledge from the MTA is better communications with customers during delays or disruptions.

The ridership record was set in 2008, with 83.6 million riders.

Meanwhile, the LIRR has steadily been losing riders and is no longer the nation’s largest commuter railway, which is now Metro-North.

LIRR ridership dropped from 81.4 million in 2010 to 81 million in 2011.

What do you have to say about Metro-North? Sound off in the comments section below!

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)